Plate handling apparatus



Oct. 9, 1962 SHIGERU NAMlKl 3,057,485

PLATE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15. 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1962SHIGERU NAMlKl 3,057,485

PLATE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15. 1959 3 SheecsSheet 2 [ll l lUlllj Jnl '1 LE] u U Eg 3 1B: 1B: H 'T'H'H :1 NV Q FL? 1 'U n EHDMEI 1:1 En r v Y9, E:

' E'ZUL LL ll Oct. 9, 1962 SHIGERU NAMIKI PLATE HANDLING APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 15, 1959 3,057,485 PLATE HANDLING APPARATUSShigeru Narnilri, Kobe, Japan, assignor to Shin-Mitsubishi JukogyoKabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan Filed (Jet. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 846,727Claims priority, application Japan Nov. 2, 1958 3 Claims. (Cl. 214-1)This invention relates to plate handling apparatus and more particularlyto plate handling apparatus to be used in operative association withconveyor systems.

Metal plates may be of such size and weight that they are diflicult tohandle and cumbersome to control.

In certain types of operations, it is essential that large heavy metalplates be maneuvered for processing and it is an object of the inventionto provide improved apparatus for the handling of such plates.

By way of specific example, in the processing of steel plates by shotblast equipment, it is necessary to convey steel plates in verticalposition to a processing station. This frequently necessitates movingthe plates from horizontal to vertical attitude.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved apparatusfor the above type of operation and, more particularly, to provide formoving heavy plates from horizontal to vertical position and vice versa.

In many instances, the handling of large plates is a time consumingoperation which is wasteful of machine and operator time and it isaccordingly a further object of the invention to provide for improvedeconomy in these respects.

Another object of the invention relates to the avoiding of machinestoppage in the processing of heavy plates whereby the handling of saidplates is made a substantially integral part of a continuous operation.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedconveying phase for shot blast operations.

With regard to the above and other of its objectives, the inventioncontemplates the provision of plate carriers operatively associated witha conveyor system and adapted for tilting heavy plates from horizontalto vertical position.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, each plate is actuallytilted beyond an absolutely vertical position to an inclined positionwhereat it is supported by specially provided means.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, special engagingmeans are provided in operative association with the plate carriers forthe engaging and disengaging of heavy plates.

Advantageously, devices provided in accordance with the invention aresuited both for placing plates on or removing plates from conveyors.They are therefore useful both on the input and output side of conveyorsystems operating with shot blast units. It is therefore possible to usea single type of unit for all phases of shot blast operations and thelike in accordance with the invention.

Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to employ simple componentsto achieve its purposes, these com-,

ponents having been proven operative and reliable in many otherapplications.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. la is a diagrammatic view of the input phase of a shot blast systemincluding a conveyor with a plate handling system provided in accordancewith the invention; 7

FIG. 1b is a diagrammatic view of the output phase 3,057,485 PatentedOct. 9, 1962 of the system of FIG. 1a and including units of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in enlarged scale of a unit of the invention takenalong line II-II of FIG. 1b; and

FIG. 3 is a side view in enlarged scale taken along line III-III of FIG.lb.

In the FIGS. 1a and lb is diagrammatically illustrated a shot blast unit10 and as is typical steel plates are conveyed in vertical position tosaid shot blast unit wherefrom they are taken in vertical position.

The problem contemplated by the invention is that it is normal todeliver these steel plates which are to be processed by the shot blastunit 10 in horizontal attitude. Also it is customary to remove thesesteel plates in horizontal attitude. Therefore it is necessary to bringthe delivered steel plates from horizontal attitude to vertical attitudefor processing in the shot blast unit 10 and when the treatment of thesesteel plates is completed it is necessary to bring the steel plates fromvertical attitude to horizontal attitude for removal.

In FIGS. la and lb are illustrated input and output conveyor systems 12and .14 respectively. These systems each consist of lateral guides 16and 18 as well as of rollers 20 which are linearly arranged and spacedfrom one another.

In accordance with the invention horizontal steel plates are to bepositioned on end in substantially vertical position on the rollers 20for movement into the shot blast unit 10 whereat the plates areprocessed and then delivered on end in substantially vertical positionto the rollers 20 of the output conveyor system 14.

For this purpose and in accordance with the invention there are provideda plurality of plate carriers 22 operatively associated both with theinput conveyor system 12 and with the output conveyor system 14. Theplate carriers 22 may be of any desired number. For example within thescope of the invention there is contemplated that one or more platecarriers 22 be operatively associated with the input conveyor system 12and that similarly one or more plate carriers 22 be operativelyassociated with the output conveyor system 14.

Each of the plate carriers 22 operates in an identical manner which willbe hereinafter indicated in greater detail. It is suflicient to note atthis time that a plate carrier 22 preferably comprises a grid-likesystem of beams 24 and 26 connected so as to constitute a grill forsupporting a steel plate. It is also to be noted that each plate carrier22 further includes a terminal beam arrangement 28 at that side of theplate carrier which is adjacent the associated conveyor system.

In further accordance with the invention each plate carrier 22 isoperatively associated with a pivotal support means 30 as well as with ameans 32. adapted to effect a pivotal movement of the associated platecarrier 22. The function of means 30 and 32 is to raise the associatedplate carrier 22 into a substantially vertical position and to pivot theassociated plate carrier 22 past this substantially vertical position toa further extreme position whereat the plate carrier 22 is inclined to avertical plane passing through the associated conveyor system. In itsinclined position the plate carrier 22 will be inclined in a directionopposite to that which it normally occupies when in horizontal positionas illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b.

The invention also contemplates the provision of plate engaging means 34of Which there are at least one and preferably two or more in number. Itis the function of plate engaging means 34 to provide a support for asteel plate on carrier 22 when the latter is nearing vertical attitudeso as to prevent the steel plate from slipping off. As will be indicatedhereinafter in greater detail the plate engaging means 34 is providedwith means whereby the steel plate can be both engaged and disengaged.

On the opposite side of the conveyor systems are arranged a number ofplate supporting elements 36. Each of these plate supporting elements isof similar construction and is intended to perform the function ofsupporting steel plates in substantially vertical attitude while thesesteel plates are in engagement with the rollers 20. The form andoperation of elements 36 will be considered in greater detailhereinafter.

Preferably the system provided in accordance with the invention operatesby means of the judicious distribution of a pressure medium. In fact theinvention preferably employs a hydraulic system.

For this purpose there is provided a pump system 38 which distributesfluid under pressure via lines and 42 to the input and the output siderespectively of the entire system.

Line 40 branches into lines 44, 46 and 43 with which are respectivelyassociated valves 52 and 54-.

Valve 50 controls the pressure, feeding into a line 56 whereas valves 52and 54 respectively control the pressures in lines 58 and 60. Line 56controls pivot means 32; line 58 controls plate support elements 36; andline 6% controls plate engaging means 34.

On the outlet side of the system, line 42 branches into lines 62, 64 and66 with which are respectively associated valves 68, 70 and 72. Valves68, 70 and 72 respectively control the pressure in lines 74, 76 and 78which respectively control in the output part of the system plateengaging means 34, plate support elements 36 and pivot means 32.

FIG. 2 illustrates one of the units provided in accordance with theinvention in side view and greatly enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the operation thereof.

In FIG. 2 are illustrated a plate carrier 22 on which is supported aplate engaging element 34', the carrier 22 being supported by a pivotalsupport 30 and being actuated for pivotal movement by a pivot means 32.On the opposite side of the conveyor is illustrated a plate supportingelement 36.

Carrier 22 comprises aforesaid beams 26 and a terminal beam arrangement28. To restrict carrier 22 to a horizontal position and to prevent anexcess pivoting of the same the invention contemplates the provision ofan abutment member 80 which supports at least a part of the weight of asteel plate mounted on the carrier 22.

The pivotal support 30 comprises a frame arrangement 82 including ahorizontal shaft 34 upon which the carrier 22 is rotatably mounted bymeans of wings 86.

Integrally with either the wings 86 or the shaft 84, is a segment gear88 which engages at its lowermost part a rack 90.

Rack 90 is connected with a ram or piston rod 92 of a piston andcylinder arrangement 94. To the cylinder of the piston and cylinderarrangement 94, is connected line 56.

It follows from the above description that when a pressure fluid is fedvia line 56 to the piston and cylinder arrangement 94, that the ram 92is forced outwardly of the arrangement 94. This in turn causes arotation of the segment gear 88 which rotates the shaft 84 or in anyevent pivots the carrier 22 upwardly in counterclockwise directionaround said shaft.

As shown in FIG. 2 the steel plate on carrier 22 passes through severalphases indicated by reference characters a, b, c and d.

In position a, a steel plate S is shown at rest on carrier 22. Inposition 1: carrier 22 is shown in substantially vertical attitude. Inposition 0, steel plate S has passed its vertical position and istending to assume a position at which it is inclined by approximately 7to a vertical plane passing through the conveyor system. Position dillustrates the position of the steel plate S after it has lost contactwith carrier 22, and in which position the weight of the steel plate isborne by plate supporting element 36 and by the associated conveyorsystem.

To retain the plate S in its position d and to engage the plate S whenthe carrier 22 has assumed position 0, the invention contemplates theprovision of appropriate details for the plate support element 36.

In this regard plate support carrier 36 comprises at least one pistonand cylinder arrangement 96 supported on a frame 98 which frame isstationary relative to the associated conveyor system. On the ram 100 ofpiston and cylinder arrangement 96 is positioned a freely rotatableroller 102. This roller with the piston and cylinder arrangement 96fully extended, tends to assume a position whereat it engages the plateS which has assumed a substantially vertical attitude. The roller 102 isthen withdrawn from this position as the carrier 22 continues to pivotpast its vertical plane and with the plate S pivoted past its verticalposition it rests against said roller. The roller in it fully retractedposition, as indicated at 102, supports the plate S inclined to thevertical by an angle of about 7 as aforesaid.

T he invention contemplates the provision of more than one piston andcylinder arrangement 96 and a second is indicated by way of example aspiston and cylinder arrangement 104. This arrangement similarly consistsof a freely rotatable roller 106 mounted on the ram 168 of the pistonand cylinder arrangement 104. It is to be noted that with both rollers102 and 166 in fully retracted position that they cooperatively definethe angle at which it is desired to support the plate S.

The reason why the invention contemplates the provision of extendableand retractable rollers 102 and 106 is that if the plate S werepermitted to topple from vertical position into position a the shockwhich frame 98 would have to absorb would be rather harmful consideringthe weight of the plate which is likely to be processed. Accordingly,rollers 102 and 106 first make contact with the plate S when the latteris in vertical position so that the frame 98 gradually receives theportion of the weight which it is intended to support.

Going back to carrier 22 in its horizontal position it is seen, as isnoted above, that the carrier 22 is provided with a plate engaging means34. Plate engaging means 34 consists of a piston and cylinderarrangement 110, the ram 112 of which supports a pawl 114. By reason ofthe provision of piston and cylinder arrangement 110, pawl 114- is bothextendable and retractable.

When the carrier 22 is in horizontal position and adapted for receivinga steel plate, the pawl 114 is brought to its retracted position. Thenceas the carrier tilts to wards its position a, and pawl 114 passesbetween the interstices between rollers 20, the weight of the plate S isborne by rollers 20 and the pawl 114 may be withdrawn, after havingfirst been extended to fully complete the release of the steel plate S.It will be appreciated that in lifting steel plate S from the outputconveyor system 14 that the opposite of the above operation is effectedand that the pawl 114 is first fully extended and then retracted whileengaging the plate S to draw the same into proper position on theassociated carrier 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates the above construction of plate engaging member 34 ingreater detail.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated terminal beam arrangement 28 of carrier 22. Onthis terminal beam arrangement is fixed a beam system 116 upon which issupported a cylinder 110. In the cylinder 1.10 is a piston (not shown)to which is attached a piston rod or ram 112. This ram engages a rod 122in rigid manner so that the rod 122 moves with the ram 112. The pawl114, as noted above, is rigidly connected with the rod 122 and a bearing124 is provided which maintains the rod 122 in fixed attitude relativeto the associated plate carrier 22.

Operation of the piston and cylinder arrangement causes an extension orretraction of the ram 112 so that the pawl 114 moves between position114 indicated by the use of solid lines and position 114a shown in dotdash lines. In position 114a the rod 122 has its pawl arranged so as toreceive or discharge a steel plate in horizontal position.

The above apparatus is susceptible of various modifications within thescope of the invention. However, it will be evident from the descriptiongiven above, that an arrangement is provided by the invention which issuited for handling large and heavy plates in association with conveyorsystems. Moreover it will be appreciated that an arrangement has beenprovided whereby steel plates received in horizontal attitude can bedisplaced to vertical position for the feeding thereof to a shot blastunit v/herefrom the plates are removed in vertical attitude and thenhorizontally discharged.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modificationsand variations of the structure set forth. These modifications andvariations will not however depart from the scope of the invention aslong as they lie within the bounds of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a conveyor, apparatus for moving a plate betweena horizontal position and an approximately vertical position on theconveyor, said apparatus comprising a plate carrier, support meanspivotally supporting said plate carrier adjacent said conveyor formovement from a horizontal position through an angle of more than ninetydegrees as well as through a position whereat the carrier is verticallysuperposed with respect to said conveyor, pivot means engaging saidcarrier for controllably effecting the pivoting of the same, plateengaging means on said carrier for engaging said plate and supportingthe same during pivoting of said carrier, engagement control meanscoupled to the plate engaging means for displacing the plate engagingmeans relative to said plate, said plate carrier being adjacent a sideof said conveyor, plate support means on the other side of said conveyorand adapted for receiving a plate from said carrier as the latter pivotsthrough its vertical position, said plate support means supporting theplate in tilted position on the conveyor, said plate support meanscomprising superposed piston and cylinder arrangements and rollersthereupon for engaging said plate, said rollers having positions ofminimum extension whereat they define cooperatively an angle with thevertical and are adapted to support said plate for movement along saidconveyor.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate support meanscomprises a frame supporting said piston and cylinder arrangements.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said angle is approximatelyseven degrees.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,787,993 Meyer Jan. 6, 1931 1,847,812 Burton Mar. 1, 1932 1,950,192Reeve Mar. 6, 1934 2,010,820 Larson Aug. 13, 1935 2,148,371 GallowayFeb. 21, 1939 2,234,162 Anderson Mar. 11, 1941 2,361,222 McBride Oct.24, 1944 2,700,332 Donald Jan. 25, 1955 2,815,111 Capps et al Dec. 3,1957 2,821,301 Montague Jan. 28, 1958 2,881,506 Fuchs Apr. 14, 19592,953,233 Zurheide Sept. 20, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 828,588 Germany Jan.17, 1952

